Brazil GP
Lewis Hamilton Demands Ferrari Talks After Charles Leclerc Clash as 2027 Title Plans Take Shape
Hamilton wants Ferrari to settle its team-racing rules after the costly Mexico GP battle, while Leclerc prepares to miss Brazilian GP practice following the birth of his daughter.
Lewis Hamilton is pushing for urgent discussions inside Ferrari after his opening-lap battle with Charles Leclerc threatened to cost the team a potential one-two finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix. With the 2026 Formula 1 season entering its final stretch, the seven-time world champion believes Ferrari must establish clear rules between its drivers before the next championship campaign.
Speaking ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton confirmed that he and Leclerc had not yet sat down to discuss the incident. Leclerc had returned home following the birth of his first child, while Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was also back at the team’s European headquarters.
The disagreement follows a tense opening lap in Mexico, where Lewis Hamilton started from pole position and ultimately finished second. The Briton believed Ferrari had an opportunity to secure a one-two, but the battle between its drivers disrupted that possibility. Charles Leclerc received a time penalty for leaving the track, while Hamilton lost ground to Max Verstappen and could not regain the position.
Hamilton Wants Ferrari to Settle Team Orders
Hamilton acknowledged that Ferrari has made considerable progress in recent races, praising the team’s improved execution and the changes introduced to its car and operations.
However, he made it clear that the Mexico incident cannot simply be brushed aside.
The British driver wants Ferrari to ensure that similar situations do not happen again, particularly if the team hopes to challenge for the championship in 2027.
Hamilton also stressed that his commitment to Ferrari’s collective ambitions remains unchanged. He believes discussions with Leclerc and the management are necessary, although he does not expect a single meeting to resolve every issue.
For Ferrari, the challenge is balancing two highly competitive drivers while ensuring that individual battles do not undermine the team’s results.
Why Hamilton Thinks the Mexico Clash Could Help Ferrari
Interestingly, Hamilton believes the timing of the incident could ultimately benefit Ferrari. With the 2026 championship battles already beyond the team’s reach, he sees the remaining races as an opportunity to identify weaknesses and establish a stronger working relationship.
Rather than allowing disagreements to carry into next season, Hamilton wants Ferrari to use the experience to develop a clearer understanding of how its drivers should race each other.
That preparation could prove crucial in 2027, when Ferrari will hope to mount a serious title challenge.
The team’s recent points-scoring form has offered encouragement, but Hamilton’s comments suggest on-track performance is only part of the equation. Ferrari must also get its internal racing arrangements right.
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Charles Leclerc to Miss Brazilian GP First Practice
Meanwhile, Leclerc will miss the opening practice session at Interlagos, with Ferrari junior driver Dino Beganovic taking his place in the SF-26.
The Swedish driver will complete his third FP1 appearance of the 2026 season as Ferrari fulfills its mandatory young-driver running requirements. Formula 1 rules require teams to give young drivers opportunities in practice sessions during the season.
Ferrari had initially planned to field Rafael Câmara for the session. However, that arrangement changed after Haas selected the Brazilian junior for his full Formula 1 debut at his home race, replacing Esteban Ocon.
Dino Beganovic will therefore get another opportunity to work with Ferrari’s race team and compare his performance with the data generated by its established drivers.
Leclerc Gets More Time With His Newborn Daughter
Leclerc’s absence also comes at a particularly personal moment. The Ferrari driver and his wife, Alexandra, welcomed their daughter, Bianca, on Tuesday, giving the Monegasque racer a chance to spend additional time with his growing family before returning to the cockpit.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, faces a potentially important weekend as Ferrari looks to maintain its recent momentum.
The Mexico clash has exposed an issue Ferrari cannot afford to ignore: with Lewis Hamilton calling for direct discussions and the 2027 championship already on the horizon, the team’s ability to manage its driver rivalry could matter as much as the speed of its car.
